Rescued and released, a turtle named 3K swam nearly 1,900 miles — then took a month off in Auckland

3K is a young green sea turtle who was nursed back to health and released with a satellite tag — and then gave scientists a journey nobody predicted. Over four months, 3K travelled nearly 1,900 miles along New Zealand's west coast from Rangaunu Harbour down to Wellington, turned around, and on the way home spent an entire month lingering in Manukau Harbour near Auckland before heading north again. The turtle is one of 11 rehabilitated green turtles tracked since 2025 by Team Turtle — the Department of Conservation, Auckland Zoo, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium and local Māori groups. More than two-thirds of the turtles the zoo treats recover fully, and the team hopes to follow 20, learning where young turtles actually go so they can be protected there.

SDG 14 · Life below water — Mechanism: institutional program